Listen to Me

My parents are coming, my parents are coming, tomorrow.

This is a big deal for me. Since we have been traveling the planet we haven't had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with family, Jeff's or mine. This is the thing I have missed the most about being away. They are coming for a week. Staying with us.

This gave me the kick in the pants I needed to get some more unpacking done. We hung pictures, unpacked the last couple of boxes etc. I still have to organize Lily's closet and the garage, but we are well on our way to being all moved in.

Except the yard, the yard needs some serious tlc. Hopefully mom my can give me advice, I have a brown thumb and my mom can make anything grow.

Other than fixing up the house, we had a very busy weekend: gymnastics, Renaissance fair, May festival, Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Lily is taking gymnastics here. She is still having problems following directions. Not sure if I should give up on the whole gymnastics concept or keep trying. I was debating spending time working on her listening and following directions skills at home to help her improve at gymnastics. She really has no interest in gymnastics, but I really want her to learn how to listen to another adult and take turns etc. I will have to think on it.

I play games with Lily, games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Green light -red light, and memory. When I explain the rules to Lily she has trouble following the directions, she looks at me like she does not comprehend what it is I am saying and she acts as if she doesn't comprehend what I am saying. Then, when she gets it - she will explain the game to me in her words and all of a sudden she directs me how to play and then she understands the game. It sometimes seems like she is incapable of doing anything I tell her to do, but if she gives the directions it is all OK. Maybe it is just my imagination. But, even getting dressed or cleaning up, she will only do things that she has given the order to happen and refuses to do things I ask her to do. Did I tell you it took me 6 months to get her to walk to the playground and home without running into the street back when she was 2. Now she walks with me without running off and is such a delight. I can even let her walk around stores etc. She even willingly holds my hand in the street. But, those six months were hell. Now I am thinking I need to teach her how to follow directions. Be a hard ass about listening and maybe that will help her in gymnastics and eventually later at school. Not looking forward to this fight. All this to say I have an ulterior motive for keeping her in a structured class like gymnastics.

Lily is very sweet. She doesn't act out. She doesn't break things, or get into things she shouldn't. She just doesn't like to be told what to do. For the most part we have a routine and she knows what to do and how to do it without being told. Therefore, we can make it through the day without any conflict. If I don't cross her our day is actually lovely and she is the most well behaved and sweetest child you have ever seen. She even says, "May I have a cookie, please". So sweet. And she laughs and plays and dances and is so sweet and fun. But, I have to teach her how to listen and follow directions. I am imagining that my sweet little Miss Lily will not be coming out to play for another six months. Sometimes being a mom is no fun at all. It is so much easier just to not cross her, but I am the mom and she is the child. So cross her I must.

I am going to wait until my parents have gone back home before I unleash the follow directions and listen to me school of Marsha.

Any how to teach a stubborn child how to listening and following directions advice?